More questions than answers on data centers

By Julia Shumway | Editor

A new poll found a slim margin of voters prefer Republican Christine Drazan over Democratic incumbent Tina Kotek in the race for governor, though Drazan’s 2-percentage-point advantage is within the 4-point margin of error. With less than a month until ballots go out and 48 days until they’re due, it’s the latest sign that Oregon’s likely in for yet another close race for governor in a state Democrats have held for four decades.

Also in today's edition:

Data center advisory committee has lots of questions, few answers
More Oregon foster kids are staying with family members
Election drama from D.C.

News tips, feedback or questions? Email us at [email protected]

Nine months in, Kotek’s Data Center Advisory Committee shares many questions, few answers

By Alex Baumhardt

An explosion of data center facilities, including the one pictured here in northeast Oregon on May 18 have been built along the Columbia River Gorge during the last few years. (Photo by Jordan Gale/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Following seven fact-finding meetings over nine months, Gov. Tina Kotek’s Data Center Advisory Committee is asking the public to weigh in on a report detailing its findings.

New poll shows GOP nominee Drazan with slight lead in Oregon governor’s race

By Nigel Jaquiss | Oregon Journalism Project

The Oregon Department of Human Services in Salem. A new report from the agency shows progress on ensuring Oregon youth can be placed with relatives. (Photo by Michael Romanos/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

With less than two months until the Nov. 3 general election, a new poll shows the Republican nominee, state Sen. Christine Drazan, R-Canby, with a slender lead over incumbent Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat.

The Sept. 11 poll, conducted by DHM Research of Portland for the business-backed group Grow Oregon, shows that a sampling of 600 likely voters currently favors Drazan by a razor-thin 2% margin, 45% to 43%, with Brett Smith, the Pacific Green Party candidate, drawing 4%.

New report on child welfare finds Oregon keeping more kids with family instead of foster care

By Shaanth Nanguneri

Oregon has recently been placing foster children with their relatives rather than with an unrelated family at rates higher than the nationwide average, according to a recent state report.